Itinerary: Windy Ridge Loop

Open Season: The route is usually
snow-free by the end of May and remains open through October.
The road closes each year due to winter snowfall from November
to May.

Driving Directions: From Randle
travel south on State Route (SR) 131 until the road forks (1 mile).
Stay to the right, traveling on SR 131 which becomes Forest Road
(FR) 25 (1 mile). Travel south on FR 25 to FR 99 (19 miles). Turn
right on FR 99 and drive until it terminates at Windy Ridge (16
miles). Return to Randle via the same route.

Immerse yourself in the heart of the
Mt. St. Helens Blast Zone and experience the stark contrast between
the lush old-growth forest and the blown-down forest. To experience
the many beautiful and fascinating hikes in the area, a Recreation
Pass may be required for parking.

Start: This journey begins in
the small mountain community of Randle located on Highway 12. Restaurants, vehicle and RV services, and
campgrounds are available.

Stop 1: Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail - One of many short and family friendly hikes along this route
is the Woods Creek Trail #247. This scenic and serene 1.5 mile
loop travels through five habitat areas, offering hikers an opportunity
to learn about the wildlife and their habitats. This path passes
through a mixed hardwood conifer forest, winds along the edges
of a meadow, follows a beaver pond and enters a hardwood forest
that offers a burst of color in the fall. A favorite area for
bird watching, bring a guidebook along and name the many feathered
friends that call this area home. For a longer walk, continue
on Trail 247A, the Old-Growth Loop, taking you through an old-growth
Douglas-fir stand. The area
also offers a day-use picnic area and restrooms.

Stop 2: Iron Creek Campground & Picnic
Area - Located along Iron Creek and the Cispus River,
stop a moment to soak in the surrounding beauty at popular Iron
Creek Campground and day-use area. From the picnic area, enjoy
a walk along the 0.3 mile signed Iron Creek Old-Growth Trail.
Weave through old-growth forests of fir, cedar and hemlock while
following the scenic Cispus River. For a longer hike, continue
for 1.5 miles on the Iron Creek Campground Trail. This trail is
a barrier-free trail designed for everyone, including people with
disabilities, families and anyone else looking for a wide, level
trail. The first half of this trail continues to follow the stunning
Cispus River. There are occasional benches and turnouts so stop
a moment and listen to the sounds of the forest and river. See
the remains of an old railroad trestle over the riverbed. The
trail leaves the river on the northwest corner of the loop through
magnificent stands of Douglas-fir and Western red cedar. Just
a few miles further on FR 25, stop for a short nature walk to
view Iron Creek Falls. One of the prettiest waterfalls in the
area, it pours powerfully off a cliff and into a large clear pool.
Downstream from the falls is a great place to let the kids splash
around and play in the creek at low water levels.

Stop 3: Wakepish - Following the
twists and turns of this scenic route, the next stop is Wakepish
Picnic Area and SnoPark. A sno-park in the winter, this area offers
parking, a picnic area and restrooms. The perfect place to drop
off a trailer or RV before heading up to Windy Ridge.

Stop 4: Bear Meadow - Making your
way toward the volcano, stop at Bear Meadow. The vistas are both
dramatic and thought-provoking. See grand views of Mount St. Helens
and ponder the vast transformations in this area. It was at this
location the morning of May 18th, 1980 that photographer Gary
Rosenquist took the famous, four quick-succession photos of the
mountain’s explosive eruption. After shooting the pictures,
he and his friends made a harrowing drive to escape. These four
pictures are now reproduced on the interpretive sign at the viewpoint.
This stop also offers access to the 32 mile Boundary
Trail. Climb gently through old-growth forest, along babbling
streams, eventually entering the blast zone. Notice the surreal
landscape of gray, the decapitated trees and the carpet of pumice
beneath you. Restrooms are also available at the viewpoint.

Stop 5: Blast Edge Viewpoint -
The last stop before entering the National Monument, stop and
marvel at the standing dead trees that mark the edge of the blast
zone, 6.5 miles west of the 25/99 junction.

Stop 6: Miner’s Car & Meta Lake
Viewpoint - Witness Mount St. Helens’ fury at this
stop, still nine miles from the volcano. Coming to rest at this
very place is a car that was hurled 60 feet into the air and then
flattened during the eruption. The car’s owner and two family
members tragically perished in a miner’s cabin nearby. Be
sure to stroll or roll the easy, paved 0.25 mile trail to emerald Meta
Lake. This interesting path leads through downed timber to
a small mountain lake that was only moderately disturbed by the
eruption. Look for the survivors -- the small evergreen trees,
fish, and frogs that lived through the blast buried beneath the
snowpack. Search for signs of life that has since returned to
the area after the eruption. After leaving the viewpoint, watch
for views of Mount Adams, 28 miles to the east.

Stop 7: Cascade Peaks - Pull in
at the new Mount St. Helens Institute facility located at Cascade
Peaks, have a cup of coffee and a sandwich, and enjoy their other
services as they develop.

Stop 8: Independence Pass Trail -
Now it’s time to strap on your walking shoes and enjoy the
stunning volcanic landscapes and high country views along scenic Independence
Pass. Just a short 0.25 mile hike and you’re rewarded
with a striking view of Mount St. Helens, the crater, the lava
dome and Spirit Lake. Witness the dramatic change in landscape
that offers new insights into the ever-changing nature of our
planet. Be amazed at the rapid return of life to this once gray
and seemingly bleak land. The trail continues into the blast zone
another 3.25 miles to a view of towering rock pinnacles revealed
by the shattering force of the blast.

Stop 9: Harmony Basin Viewpoint & Trail - This is the place to look out upon famous Spirit Lake and Harmony
Basin. A dramatic lake view, much of the surface of Spirit Lake
is still covered by an ever changing matte of floating logs and
debris from the blast. The day of the eruption, in nearly an instant,
a massive landslide hundreds of feet thick sent waves 850 feet
high across Spirit Lake, scouring its shores and pulling timber
into its basin. Looking across the lake today see Harry’s
Ridge and the popular Mount Margaret Backcountry. For a closer look, hike three
miles round trip to the shores of Spirit Lake and see the effects
of the 1980 eruption and marvel at the recovery. This is the only
hike leading to its shores. Along this route, see what is left
of Harmony Falls, a popular pre-eruption hiking destination. Once
at the lake, view Mount St. Helens’ crater and the impressive,
growing lava dome

Stop 10: Cedar Creek Viewpoint - Just a short drive down the road, look out onto the recovering
Spirit Lake. Only one hike leads to the lake, and to the dismay
of many anglers, fishing is not allowed. Strong populations of
rainbow trout live in its waters today. A surprise to many as
some thought this lake would never again support life. Choked
with avalanche debris, the water temperature increased nearly
100 degrees Fahrenheit during the eruption when pyroclastic flows
emptied into the lake. However, within five years after the blast,
life had returned to the lake. The trees still float there today
as a reminder of the mountain’s fury. Take time to read
the interpretive sign at this astounding sight.

Stop 11: Donnybrook - Each stop
offers a unique look at the dramatic landscape of the area. From
Donnybrook Viewpoint, enjoy an impressive view of Spirit Lake
with Mount St. Helens looming in the background. The trees that
now drift in the lake were pulled into the lake off the surrounding
hills by a huge wave triggered by the eruption. Enjoy the interpretive
signs explaining the geology of this dramatically altered area.

Stop 12: Smith Creek Trailhead - If you have the time to hike even a part of nine-mile Smith
Creek Trail, it is worth your while. A bit longer, but it
showcases spectacular views of the blast zone. Descending steadily
to Smith Creek, marvel at the immense impact the eruption of Mount
St. Helens had on this creek as a giant mudflow poured through
its banks during the eruption. Try to imagine the forest setting
of this area before the eruption, over 25 years ago. The trail
follows sections of old roads at times, so be sure to watch for
the wooden post route markers. See the masses of logs carried
by mudflows to their resting place along the river. Watch for
the distant views of waterfalls as they plunge off rock cliffs.
Notice the healing landscape and nature’s resilience.

Stop 13: Smith Creek Picnic Area - A great place for a quiet picnic lunch with friends, family
and the mountain, this stop offers excellent close-in images of
the volcano.

End: Windy Ridge - You’ve
arrived at Windy Ridge. This is the top location along the route
to view the devastation of the 1980 eruption. Nearly everything
in view is within the area decimated by the eruption. Encounter
the blast’s full impact as you transition from green forest
to standing dead forest to blown down forest. Look out upon Spirit
Lake’s immense floating forest. The landscape in this area
is littered with sand and gray rocks from that event. For the
best view possible, walk the 361 steps on the hill above the parking
lot and feel as if you are looking directly into Mount St. Helen’s
crater just five miles away. Take a moment to imagine the mountain’s
fury the day of the blast. Around 90% of the missing mountain
is laid out before you as part of the avalanche resulting from
the eruption.

All roads in this itinerary are winding and many
have surface debris and steep drop-offs on either side. Always
drive with caution, drive defensively, and expect wildlife. Motorcyclists
should be especially careful. Please check local Ranger Stations
for seasonal access dates and conditions. For current road conditions, click
here.